How To Clean A Headstone | Patten's Michigan Monuments

[@picodegallio3255]

This video has probably been the MOST HELPFUL vid on all of KZbin for cleaning headstone, thanks alot bro for the great advice.

[@issa1010]

There is a huge difference between this new, granite stone with hardly any issues, and old marble stones covered in mildew. Those old stones are incredibly porous a d bleach will absolutely damage them OVER TIME (for whoever said they do it and see no damage...it takes years). Everyone wants the home remedies because they're cheaper, and that's understandable, but I'd rather listen to the science on this one.

[@DannyJustiniano]

Thanks so much for this video! My grandparents' stone, which is 18 year old, was never cleaned before. It's near a tree and was covered in moss and tree sap and after maybe 30 minutes or more of scrubbing with water and Dawn dish soap, it looks good as new! Thank you!

[@juliaweber212]

Awesome

[@UsernameSaraWithNoH]

I tried this today and it’s got my grandparents headstone looking like new! Thank you!

[@ladytorres8323]

Its 2021 and I am just needing this information. Thank you!

[@dahorganist]

Thank you for sharing this video as this is a process that the average person can do with little investment. My sister and I cleaned 10 small family stones recently using this technique and they turned out beautiful. Cleaning these stones is something that we have wanted to do but didn't know how to go about it without damaging the stones. The stones had not been cleaned since they were put in, some 80 years ago, and we were amazed to see the colors that were hidden under decades of dirt. Besides the Dawn and brushes, make sure you bring enough water and elbow grease..... LOL

[@matthewstanton5495]

You saved my family’s headstones with your facts! Thank you very kindly

[@JDSly1]

Thanks for the informative video. Yesterday I visited my Dad's grave site in a small town here in Michigan and was appalled at the condition of his headstone. I went to a nearby convenience store and looked over their very limited selection of cleaning supplies and walked out with-- guess what-- a couple gallons of water, Dawn dish soap, and a stiff nylon-bristled brush. It worked well. Thanks for validating my choice of cleaners.

[@juliaweber212]

Wonderful

[@erincerniglia4691]

Thank you for this, I’ve been wanting to clean my best friends headstone , she passed at 17 in 1999 🥺😭😭 23 years and it’s gained moss etc and I want it to look better .

[@m.w.976]

Very simple. Thank you!

[@peterskarp1409]

Good to know this information. Thanks!

[@Creativemonument]

Glad to hear someone else NOT promoting D2! I get so sick of hearing how terrible it is to use bleach. Like you, I have used regular Clorox with no issues for many years. However, I have only used it on Gray granite and on marble. Have you used Clorox on other colors, such as black with a COLOR laser scene? If so, what were your results with it. One thing I do tell my customers is that they should not use any generic bleach, but only Original Clorox. Also, I tell them to wet the stone 1st, and as you said, don't let it dry. I tested some generic stuff from the local dollar store, and the gray granite turned brown in spots. Any info you have using bleach on colored stone is appreciated.

[@griffparker1466]

I recently went to a monument builders convention in Athens, GA and new studies have found that bleach and muratic acid is terrible for marble. Creates the "sugaring" effect on antique marble. Thought I'd let you know, this is kinda new information in the industry. We have been using Clorox Bleach on everything for decades. Bleach and acid is still fine for Granite though.

[@mikewinn1484]

Great video. Appreciate it. I need to clean my grandmothers bronze and stone marker.

[@powertekusa]

Not to burst your bubble but, Dawn dish soap will not clean bronze. Especially if it has oxidized (turned green). Take it from me, I've cleaned over 500 headstones/monuments over the years.

[@rosettamccoy6123]

@@powertekusa that's a rude way of telling someone that smh / burst your bubble why say it like that

[@teresarohlin1859]

What do you use on bronze?

[@KR-ti5uz]

No bleech.. use a product called D2 is the preferred product

[@juliebower39]

Will this clean the white etching that has turned gray from being flat in the ground

[@pinay56]

The problem is that the headstone is fairly new, and looks like it was made some 10-20 years before the video was produced.

[@SandyzSerious]

Same procedure for bronze?

[@paulandrew6457]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@kylitacarbone2957]

I will do this to my Yia Yia and Papou's grave. Ive taken care of it since '07. Will you help me? And then give me a hug after? 😘😍

[@mayolormairez2527]

How do you remove the heavy water starins off it (it has a picture)

[@TKM1951]

Dove dish soap good for baby duck feathers and grave stones . Who knew ? .Seriously my grandfather passed 1955 . I have cleaned his stone twice with Dove .The first it was covered with a white moss ( lichens ? ) .I used cold water and a clothes brush Five years ago .Today it looks original. I expected some return of the moss but none .

[@831zapata]

So what you saying is dawn wins again it cleans everything !

[@LongLiveFerny]

That dosent take off the water spots though the dullness?

[@rsdenimblues8342]

Is is necessary to have dowels in.a headstone

[@Paula-vr5rm]

What would cause the engraved letters to look like they are fading

[@anthonymoreno4391]

Good job

[@stonecoldrestorations4591]

Love this video - thanks!

[@sandybohn1716]

Good information. Thanks

[@nanana397]

I have a question Can you do it too often?

[@heleneg525]

So what if you don't have access to a water source?

[@tomball7681]

Thanks man really appreicate it

[@salmanrajput8241]

Can you tell me how this works

[@Katwoman4318]

Thank you

[@thecentralavenuegunslinger7861]

It’s good to not hear “never clean these stones with anything besides this 55 dollar bottle cleaner”

[@ryanbarker5217]

yet, have you found *any* advice from someone serious about cleaning stones recommending bleach? you won't, either, and probably for good reason. the expensive stuff is also without a doubt effective and supposedly causes no damage to whatever kind of stone you're cleaning.

[@rosettamccoy6123]

Not supposed to use dish liquid on them or bleach

[@TopJimmyWinn]

Thanks man

[@juliaweber212]

Thank you much cheaper for long run

[@TheSirhc1975]

What about using my steam machine?

[@robertrockwell7581]

i just watched a bunch of videos that says to never use bleach on any stone it will ruin it. rethink this.

[@Michigangravestones]

Robert Rockwell thank you for your concern, the other guys aren't wrong. However, We've been in business for over 100yrs and can tell you with confidence that bleach can be used on stone ONLY when there is extreme moss build-up on an OLD STONE. In this case the directions layed out in the video must be followed to avoid damaging the granite. 1. Do not let the bleach dry. 2. Do not let sit more than 15-20seconds. 3. Dilute with water if worried. 4. Always rinse thoroughly. after scrubbing with a bleach mixture. Again this would only be in extreme cases where the stone hasn't been cleaned in 20-30yrs and the moss/mildew buildup is especially tough coming off. Hope this helps.

[@robertrockwell7581]

thank you for responding i will follow your directions.

[@juliaweber212]

I agree I wouldn’t do it

[@rosettamccoy6123]

@@Michigangravestones 100 years you say and how do you know ? Just how old are you anyway

[@gregb2830]

Never use bleach...!

[@d.watson7643]

🥰💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙...THANK YOU!!!😊

[@MattB-zm2uk]

At the beginning of this video I had an open mind as I have never worked on a modern stone. But once you started talking about bleach. I knew A you must not know the pore structure of stones. B the the affects bleach has on a gravestone even if it's on there for a split second and C how irresponsible you must be to say that this is alright to use on gravestones.

[@MattB-zm2uk]

@@garyspaulding5690 yes i did read the comment and that is STILL false. marble is extremely porous, and simply rinsing and rinsing, will not remove all of it. The bleach that works its way into the stone will break down the stone structure. I'm not trying to be a troll. It makes me sad knowing that not only have these people destroyed many stones, but that people that watched this video and taken their advise have also caused damage.

[@joeygfrombrooklyn]

Thanks for the video, but did anyone else notice how depressing that headstone is? A 4-year-old child. So sad.

[@everydayamputee]

Dawn and scrubbing don't work on algae.

[@AFRENTAO]

Can I pressure wash it?

[@MattB-zm2uk]

No!!!! A pressure washer will remove marble opening the pores and cause serious damage. Don't listen to these people. All highly prestigious companies such as the NCPTT and the VA have done extensive research into cleaning stones. Bleach and any other chemical causes damage by slowly breaking down the grain structure. The only liquids safe to use are D2 biological solution and water. Don't trust anything that removes stone.

[@MattB-zm2uk]

@@garyspaulding5690 they may have been in business for years. however, seeing the damage caused by bleach, and the extensive research conducted by the VA who takes care of probably close to a million stones, and the NCPTT who are in charge of preservation of historic sites are more creditable. These people install and work with granite monuments not marble. I've been doing this for close to 10 years. I've worked exclusively with old marble stones, and the practices these people are displaying, although well intended will causes extreme damage.

[@MattB-zm2uk]

www.ncptt.nps.gov/blog/cleaning-a-stone-grave-marker-2007-01/ cemeteryconservatorsunitedstandards.org/harmful-methods/dont-clean-with/ Was unable to copy link for VA source. Just search VA cleaning a headstone. Here is also a link to a world renowned preservationist who also strongly discourages using bleach. www.gravestonepreservation.info/ Tell me who's more creditable. This small family owned monument who has little to no experience with marble. ( not trying to be disrespectful towards them just stating facts). Or the VA, NCPTT and other world renowned preservationist?

[@kornmom6]

NO BLEACH

[@1456Sassy]

Fine for granite and the newer stones. But DO NOT use a stiff brush on old stones made from sandstone or limestone. You are spreading misinformation, because some people aren't smart enough to hear the "granite" in that and think you can do the same with very old stones that would completely destroy them. How about include something to that fact in your video if you want to help?

[@ryanbarker5217]

i doubt you'll find a single person who cleans these stones and is serious about it *ever* say bleach is okay. oh, i'm sure it cleans the stone, but also damages it. sorry, but i'm going to take the advice of every single other person out there over a suggestion that doesn't even sound good on the surface.

[@azarahwagner2749]

NO NO NO